Gmail app adds Google Wallet money attachments so you can get paid faster

By Andrew Martonik
last updated

Gmail
Gmail (Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)

You've been able to send and request money via Gmail for some time now — but curiously, the function was limited to the web. With the latest update to the Gmail app for Android, you now have the ability to make the same money transfers within the app, making it even easier to transfer money between friends and family.

Just like the web, you can attach money — or a request to be paid — right in an email message, just like you attach a document or image. You type in how much you want to send or receive, and the person on the other end gets the email and sees it right inline with the message.

Now your friends have even fewer excuses to not pay you back for that dinner.

Because it's powered by Google Wallet, you won't see any fees for sending, receiving or transferring to your bank. Best of all, people receiving emails with money attachments don't have to have Google Wallet installed — they'll have redemption or payment options built right into the email.

So whether you're already set up with Google Wallet for money transfers or not, there's real utility to being able to attach money or a request to be paid right through the Gmail app rather than waiting to get home and use a full web browser. Now your friends have even fewer excuses to not pay you back for that dinner.

Andrew Martonik
Andrew Martonik

Andrew was an Executive Editor, U.S. at Android Central between 2012 and 2020.

9 Comments
  • Or just use what everyone is using and avoid the typical 'Ugh, do I have to install something else to do that?' (even though in this case you don't, it's still possibly the most common response). Just Venmo the money. Done. I do like that you don't have to install anything though.
  • What if you don't have Venmo? Virtually everyone has a Google account. Even iPhone users. I have Google Wallet and Paypal (have had Paypal since like 2001 for eBay). I see no reason to get another.
  • Yeah, and this is where this service has potential. BUT you can't ignore the fact that for mobile payments, Venmo is the (so far) undisputed king, and it is owned by PayPal. As such, when trying to do this kind of transaction, chances are a person (granted, the younger the more likely they'll use that...it's uber-popular with Millennials) already uses Venmo, or something else if you want to go there... Until this starts to gain traction and people get to know that you don't even have to install anything else to make it work, you're probably gonna get the same response and accompanying annoying face: Do I need to download something? Why don't you just use 'whateverserviceI'malreadyusing'?
  • This is nice, because there's no install needed. I get frustrated when people ask/tell me to download Venmo....Venmo today, something else tomorrow. What's cool is probably less relevant when you're creating multiple accounts connected to your bank account.
  • To be honest. I have never heard of venmo.
  • Me neither.
  • You can send money via a mobile number as long as they've registered there number with the bank they are using
  • I just use Facebook messenger because just about everyone uses it and it's super easy to use. I don't use Gmail, would consider this if there was an Inbox version.
  • Well, wasn't this supposed to work for people without Google Wallet? I just tried to request money from a non-Google account and sure enough, the only way they're getting to pay is if they create a Google account and set up Wallet...